Patchwork Pistons rally to drop Hawks
AUBURN HILLS, Mich. - Ben Gordon scored 22 points and made two key defensive plays in the final minute, leading the injury-riddled Detroit Pistons to a 90-88 victory over the Atlanta Hawks on Wednesday night.
The win came one night after the Pistons snapped an 11-game losing streak in Philadelphia. Detroit had lost 18 of its previous 20, dating to Feb. 24.
Detroit came into the game missing starters Tayshaun Prince (personal reasons) and Richard Hamilton (ankle), then lost Rodney Stuckey to a first-half rib injury. The Pistons were also missing reserves Jason Maxiell (back) and Chris Wilcox (hamstring).
The Hawks (49-29) have lost two straight and fell into a tie with Boston for third place in the Eastern Conference.
Will Bynum added 17 points for Detroit, while rookie Austin Daye had his first double-double with 13 points and 10 rebounds.
Jamal Crawford led Atlanta with 19 points, but missed a tying 3-pointer with 12 seconds left.
► Bobcats 104, Hornets 103: At New Orleans, Charlotte clinched its first playoff berth since its founding six years ago, as Stephen Jackson scored 29 points and D.J. Augustin hit a crucial 3-pointer with 16 seconds left.
► Nuggets 98, Thunder 94: At Oklahoma City, Chauncey Billups scored 31 points
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